Supreme Golden Palace

Chapter 237 Stabilizing the Chaos (Part 2)

Just as Liang Miding was lost in thought, a crow suddenly took flight in the sky above the secluded valley, and at the same time, a dark shadow fell from the branches of a withered tree.

"Chief, the ancestral decree,"

The guards immediately stepped forward and caught the falling half of the jade talisman.

"Grandfather,"

Upon realizing it was the ancestral jade talisman, Liang Miding's expression changed, and he quickly took the talisman.

"Ah,"

After receiving it, Liang Miding's expression was uncertain. He gently stroked the jade talisman, then gathered his dantian qi and exhaled a breath of vital energy onto the jade talisman.

This breath of vital energy is very particular. Taoist breathing techniques, with their myriad methods, all revolve around the six words: 'blowing, exhaling, 'hissing,' 'sighing,' 'hissing,' and 'hissing.'

Among them, 'chui' corresponds to the kidney, 'hu' corresponds to the spleen, 'xi' corresponds to the triple burner, 'he' corresponds to the heart, 'xu' corresponds to the liver, and 'xi' corresponds to the lung.

The six exhalations each have their own purpose and are also known as the Taoist Six-Character Exhalation Formula.

Liang Miding's last breath originated from his heart, and it was his lifeblood and vital energy.

The jade talisman, nourished by the heart's blood and vital energy, instantly changed from dark blue to lustrous.

“Midas,”

In a daze, Liang Miding seemed to hear a powerful voice.

Liang Mi frowned and listened silently. After a moment, he sighed and murmured, "Indeed, we must prioritize the overall situation!"

"The mandate of heaven is not with the Qiang; our opportunity will come in five hundred years."

He thought for a moment, put the jade talisman back in his pocket, and turned to look at the three half-demon guards and the dozen or so Qiang tribe leaders gathered behind him.

Facing these Qiang leaders, Liang Miding said coldly, "Our ancestor has ordered that, effective immediately, all tribes must abandon their posts in Diezhou, and the remaining tribesmen should temporarily travel along Yinping to Tuyuhun."

As soon as the words were spoken, the leaders all changed color and said, "Chieftain, the Sui army is pressing in with overwhelming force. How can we retreat without a fight?"

Liang Miding waved his hand and said, "No need to say anything more. This is the ancestor's will. The ancestor said that now is not the time to raise an army. Forcing an army will only harm the clansmen."

"This war is the fault of Zhongwu and me. We were ignorant of fate and started it without informing our grandfather. After this matter is over, I will apologize to our grandfather and leave the decision of whether to kill or torture him to him."

"However, before that, all the Qiang tribes must obey my orders,"

"Issue my order: burn all the wheat seeds in the Diezhou granary, leaving only 30% of the dry rations for the brothers who are covering the rear."

The leaders looked at each other, and finally knelt on one knee, saying, "We obey the chieftain's command!"

------

The following day, in the afternoon,
Lü Shang led his troops to the southeast of Diezhou, where several thousand infantry and cavalry slowly advanced.

Unlike Liu Chong's rapid march, Lü Shang deliberately slowed down his march when he approached Diezhou.

After marching in this manner, when Lü Shang was still more than thirty li away from Diezhou, he finally received a military report from Diezhou.

A courier arrived on horseback. Upon seeing Lü Shang's banners in the distance, he brandished his whip and shouted, "Report! Urgent news from Diezhou!"

Lu Shang's personal guards quickly stepped forward, took the military report presented by the courier, and presented it to Lu Shang's horse.

"Urgent report from Diezhou,"

Lu Shang reined in the horse, Zidian Hanshuang, which snorted, and lowered his eyes to unfold the military report.

"Liu Chong, the Sima of the General Administration of Qin Prefecture, decisively defeated the various Qiang tribes at Die Prefecture,"

After reading the military report, Lü Shang chuckled and handed it to Fang Yanqian, saying, "Xiao Chong, look, the Qiang rebellion has been quelled."

"Sima Liu Chong," Fang Yanqian rode forward, took the military report, and frowned after reading it.

"I never expected that Commander Liu would have such military strategy. He first defeated Zhongwu, then Liang Miding, and single-handedly quelled most of the Qiang rebellion in Longyou."

Fang Yanqian knew something about Liu Chong's talents and abilities.

When he was in the Qin Prefecture General Administration Office, he served as the Registrar and Military Advisor. Liu Chong was the Chief Military Advisor of the General Administration Office and his direct superior.

After working with this superior, Fang Yanqian could only conclude that he was a pampered son of a wealthy family and had no real talent. At the very least, Fang Yanqian did not see any outstanding abilities in Liu Chong.

As for Liu Chong's ability to rise to the high position of Sima in the General Office, it can only be said that the Liu family of Pengcheng had produced officials for generations, enjoyed a high reputation, and were well-regarded in the court and among the people.

"Indeed, who would have thought that Commander Liu would possess such talent and strategy?"

Seeing the change in Fang Yanqian's expression, Lü Shang gently shook his head and said, "It is said that though it may not fly, when it does, it will soar to the sky; though it may not sing, when it sings, it will astound the world. Perhaps this Liu Sima is such a person."

Seeing that Lü Shang had said so, Fang Yanqian had no choice but to agree, saying, "That should be the case."

Lü Shang suddenly turned his horse around and said in a deep voice to his personal guards behind him, "Pass on my order: the vanguard must speed up and advance to Diezhou City."

"promise,"

Upon receiving the order, the guards cracked their whips to relay the command, and the previously slow-moving procession instantly sprang into action.

The vanguard, their armor clanging, horses galloping, raising clouds of dust, headed towards Diezhou.

At his command, a thousand cavalrymen moved in unison. By the time Lü Shang reined in his horse and stood beneath the south gate of Diezhou city, the sun was already hanging low over the western mountains.

The Sui flag on the city wall fluttered in the wind, and the Sui soldiers on duty between the battlements clattered their armor, showing no sign of post-battle dejection.

The city gate slowly opened inward, and two armored captains walked out from behind it.

"This humble general greets Lord Lü. My master is already waiting at the government office and has specially ordered this humble general to greet you here!"

"In that case, I'll trouble you two to lead the way,"

Lü Shang nodded, turned his purple lightning and frost around, and entered the city side by side with Fang Yanqian.

The horses' hooves pounded across the bluestone path, leading straight to the government office. There, yamen runners were already waiting at the foot of the steps. When they saw Lü Shang dismount, they quickly stepped forward, took the reins, and led the two inside.

There were no ceremonial guards in the main hall of the government office. Liu Chong sat in the main seat, while the governor of Diezhou sat to the side. When Lü Shang and Fang Yanqian entered, Liu Chong immediately stood up to greet them.

"Your Excellency has come from afar, and I have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me, please forgive me,"

Lu Shang smiled slightly, raised his hand in a gesture of support, and said, "Commander Liu has rendered meritorious service in quelling the rebellion; I should be the one thanking you."

"If you hadn't first defeated Zhongwu and then Liang Miding, who knows how long this war in Longyou would have dragged on."

Liu Chong smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Lord Lü, you flatter me. This victory was entirely due to the bravery of my soldiers. If anyone deserves credit, it is the credit of my soldiers."

Lü Shang smiled upon hearing this and said, "The Emperor's rewards and punishments are clear and fair; whoever deserves the credit will receive it. I would like to congratulate Sima on his upcoming high-ranking official position."

Or perhaps they saw that Lü Shang had an elegant demeanor and outstanding spirit, which was clearly different from what they had previously thought of as a poor peasant boy.

Liu Chong gently stroked the bronze paperweight on the corner of the table with his palm, and said in a slow and deliberate tone, "High official rank and noble titles are secondary. I am already content to be able to contribute my meager strength to the country."

Lü Shang said slowly, "Sima's kindness is a blessing to the people of Longyou. I will certainly write to the Emperor to detail Sima's merits."

"On behalf of the entire army, I thank you for your kindness in pleading on behalf of my soldiers in Qin Prefecture,"

A barely perceptible glint flashed in Liu Chong's eyes, but it was quickly concealed by a humble smile.

Lü Shang smiled without saying a word in response to Liu Chong's explanation. After all, he came from a prominent family. It was unknown how much he had actually done, but he certainly had the right attitude.

(End of this chapter)